Metallurgical apparatus



Oct. 17, 1944.

L. W. BAHNEY ETAL- MEIALLURGICAL APPARATUS ,Filed Aug. 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS LUTHER w BAH/YE) ORNEYS A 1944- L. w. BAHNEY ET AL 2,360,605

METALLURGICAL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS LOT/95f? W BAH/VEV ALF/FED l7. HORSWL'LL Oct. 17, 1944. 1.. w. BAHNEY ETAL 2,360,605

llllH- INVEN RS LUTHER W flNEY Oct. 17, 1944. l

w. BAHNEY ET AL METALLURGICAL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 17, 1944 mmunercan APPARATUS Luther W. Bahney, Elizabeth, N. J., and Alfred E. Horswell, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignors to Scovill Manufacturing Comma, Water bury, Conm, a corporation of Connecticut Application August 11, 1942, Serial No. 454,392

.11 Claims. (Cl. ate-38') This invention relates to metallurgical appartus, in particular to apparatus for transferring, heating, or pouring molten metal, and has for an object the provision of improvements in this art.

In our Patent No. 2,195,071 of March 26, 1940, we showed 'an induction furnace which poured metal through its supporting trunnion into receiving vessels such as vertical molds, the metal in the furnace being heated by an electric induction heating unit to keep it molten. Means were provided within the furnace for deoxidizing the metal, which was delivered to the furnace by an open launder.

According to the present invention a furnace of the same general type and used in the same general setting, is modified in various ways, to make it more suitable for certain purposes. The principal modification is that the metal receiving assembly is constructed to positively protect the metal, and the tilting assembly is constructed to furnish. more accurate control Ofthe pouring of the metal.

The objects of the invention and various features of novelty'will be apparent from the following disclosure of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings thereof wherein:v

Fig. 1 is a side view of apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, with the furnace in its lowest position;

Fig. 4 is a'similar section with the furnace in its highestposition.

joint which maintains a, seal for a'protecting gas in all adjusted positions of the furnace and launder. The furnace is mounted to tilt upon trunnionsv I3, one of which is tubular throughout its length, for pouring metal into the discharge device l2. This supplies the metal at substantially a fixed position in a steady stream.

The pot or chamber M of the furnace is disposed below the trunnion axis C, and at the bottom connects with the loop channel l5 of an electric induction heating unit Hi. The central plane of the channel I5 is parallel with the axis r C of the furnace trunnions, and the plane of the .lower side of the channel is directed approxi- Fig. 5 is a partial section taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a partial section taken approximately on the line 6-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a vertical section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 8-5 8 of Fig. 6;

9 is a partial vertical section taken on the line 9-9 01' Fi 5;

Fig, 10 is a partial vertical section taken on the line ill-l0 of Fig. 5; and I Fig. 11 is an enlarged side view of a sealing plate seen in Figs. 3. and 4.

Referring to the drawings, theapparatus 00111-1 prises a metal fum l 0, a fully enclosed supply launder II, and a completely enclosed discharge device I 2. The supply launder is fixed in position, and isconnected with the furnace bya mately toward the furnace axis, slightly behind it as seen in Fig. 3. 1

The shell 20 of the furnace chamber is provided with a curved extension or tail 2| projecting downward, and backward from the front side of the furnace, and the cam-like face of this extension, is adapted to cooperate with a vertically movable. thrust member 22 for tilting the furnace. The thrust member shown herein is a roller secured on the end of a piston rod 23, extending vertically from a piston inside a fixed vertical cylinder 24. The curve of the cam face of thetail relative to the shape and disposition of the metal chamber, is so selected that for equal vertical movements of the piston, approximately equal amounts of metal are poured from 29 and an auxiliary flange 3| of the transformer shell, the insulation conveniently being secured before the transformer shell is attached to the fumace shell. This flange and insulation construction is shown in detail in the patent of David L. Summey, No. 2,102,582, December 14, 1937. -The transformer flange 3| is separated from the furnace shellflange 30 by a mica gasket.

'\This gasket is used to promote a clean separation of elements and 3| when the induction unit and casing 28 is removed from the furnace. It may serve as thermal and electrical insulation but is not used primarily for this purpose.

The sealing joint between the supply launder v and the furnace, comprises a curved top seal plate 35, formed as a widened continuation of J of the furnace shell cover I9.

the shell of the launder on an arc concentric with the trunnion axis, the sides of the top plates being further extended asconcentric side flanges 38, which fit in arcuate slots in side plates 38 The cover 39 closes the space at one end of the curved top plate 35, and this may be provided with a glass 5 may be maintained on the metal in the furnace.

For copper a charcoal cover may be used.

'In order to keep. this covering material from passing out the spout with the metal, a skimmer 15 may be employed to shield the inner end of the when the furnace is tilted toward the draining nace side plates 38, and bears against the front transverse edge 40 of the furnace. The flap is kept, pressed against the edge by any suitable means, as for example by a weight 41. As shown, the weight is suspended on a cable 48, which passes over .a pulley l9, mounted on the'bottom edge of the flap, the end of the cable being attached to the body of the furnace. The hori zontal component of the weight increases as the effective lever arm of the flap decreases, thus position shown in Fig. 4. Considering the furnace to be in the draining position ofFigs. 4 and 9, this front side is also formed with sloping faces 11 and 18, which cause the metal to flow toward a transverse line or gutter 19 located at a distance from the dam. A channel or duct 80 on the spout side of the furnace, slopesdownward from the line 19 to the inner end of the spout opening 55. The skimmer II is set at an angle over the channel 80, and covers all but the lower end near the line 19, thus permitting metal to flow out freely. but retaining the covering material.

The transformer l6 may be cooled by air from a conduit 85, which is hinged for turning movement in 'a joint 88 concentric with the furnace axis C, and opposite. the pouring spout. The furnace shell construction at the turning .axis, is

a symmetrical whereby the pouring spout and air tending to keep the pressure of the flapv against concentric with the turning axis C of the furnace.

Consequently the metal from the spout will always fall on a fixed line vertically beneath the axis C. It may fall into any desired receiving device, such for example, as the pouring diverter or strainer 56, which leads the metal to .the discharge launder 51. The pouring metal is kept .free of air by the enclosure II, which has a sealing joint with the spout 55. I

The sealing Joint includes a sleeve 58 surrounding the spout. which is provided with a flange 59, by which it is secured to a flange Bil formed on the furnace casing. A second sleeve 8| fits the outside of sleeve 58, and is provided with a flange 62 adjacent the flange 59. Springs 63, placed on rods 64, secured in flange 59, push the flange 62 and sleeve 6| away from flange 59. The rods 84 may be provided with adjusting nuts 65, and movement-limiting nuts CI. The front end of the outer sleeve ll, has a spherical joint seal 61 with a plate 88, which fits tightly against the casing of the enclosure l2.

. The enclosure l2is heat-insulated, and heated by suitable means, to keep the stream of metal in a molten condition. The heating means shown herein comprises resistance heating elements such as globars 10 arranged in pairs, and protected from splashing metal by shields ll of a material such as silicon carbide or graphite, which retains protecting gas about the metal but keeps it from the resistors, at the same time conducting heat efficiently from the resistors to the metal. A sight opening glass I2 permits a view of the stream of metal within thee'nclosure.

The pouring enclosure, furnace, and supply launder may be filled with an inert or deoxidlzing gas under pressure.

For copper, a gas composed of a considerable percentage of carbon monoxide maybe used. In addition a protective covering .joint may be placed in reverse positions, the interiorlining 81, of course, being altered to place the pouring duct and skimmer in correct position relative to thespout.

The operation of the-device will be understood from the above description. While one embodiment of the invention has been described to convey an understanding of the principles of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention may have various embodiments within the limits of the prior art andthe scope of the sub- Joined claims. 7

We claim as our invention:

1. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, an enclosed pouring spout on said axis, an enclosed supply launder entering the furnace enclosure above and transverse to said axis, and a jointed connection between the launder enclosure and the chamber enclosure for maintaining a seal in all positions of the furnace.

2. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, .a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, an enclosed pouring spout on said axis, an enclosed supply launder entering the furnace enclosure above and transverse to said axis, and a jointed connection between the launder enclosure and the chamber enclosure for maintaining a seal in all positions of the furnace, said Jointed connection including a curvedtop sealing plate operating between parallel sides and a transverse edge, and a bottom sealing plate operating between parallel sides and a transverse edge.

3. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combiation, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, an enclosed pouring spout on said axis, an enclosed supply 7 launder entering the furnace enclosure above and transverse to said axis, and a jointed connection between the launder enclosure and the chamber enclosure for maintaining a seal in all positions of the furnace, said jointed connection including a curved top sealing plate on the launder-operating between parallel sides and a transverse edge on the furnace, and a bottom a,aco, coc 3 between parallel sides and a transverse edge on v the furnace.

4. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, an enclosed pouring spout on said axis, an enclosed supply launder entering the furnace enclosure above and transverse to said axis, and a jointed connection between the launder enclosure and the chamber enclosure for maintaining a seal in all positions of the furnace, said Jointed connection including a curved top sealing plate on the laund r operating between parallel sides and a transvrse edge on the furnace, a bottom sealing platehinged to the launder operating between parallel sides and a transverse edge on the furnace, and means for pressing the bottom sealing plate against the transverse edge.

5. lliietallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a. furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, anv enclosed pouring spout on said axis, an enclosed'supply launder entering the furnace enclosure above and transverse to said axis, and a jointed connection between the launder enclosure and the chamber enclosure for maintaining a seal in all positions of the furnace, said Jointed connection including a curved top sealing plate on the laun? der operating between parallel sides and a transverse edge on the furnace, a bottom sealing plate hinged to the launder operating between parallel sides and a transverse edge on the furnace, and

means for pressing the bottom sealing plate against the transverse edge, saidJmeans comprising a weight suspended by a cable passing over a pulley on the bottom edge of the plate.

6. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, an enclosed pouring spout on said axis, an enclosed supply launder entering the furnace enclosure above and transverse to said axis, and a jointed connection between the launder enclosure and the chamber enclosure for maintaining a seal in all positions of the furnace, said jointed connection including a curved top sealing plate on the launder operating between parallel sides. and a transverse edge on the furnace,-a bottom sealing plate hinged tothe launder operating between parallel sides and a transverse edge on the furnace, and means for pressing the bottom sealing plate against the transverse edge, said means comprising a weight and a cable suspending the weight below the plate, the cable being attached to the furnace at one'end at a point which profurnace enclosure by a sealing joint concentric with the furnace axis.

9. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in com-- bination, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about. a transverse axis, a furnace pouring spout on said axis, and a supply launder having its pouring lip disposed above the axis and above the-metal level, said launder being connected to the furnace bya joint concentric with the furnace axis. a p

10. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, a curved arm on said furnace enclosure extending downward and backward therefrom below said axis, and a vertically moving member for acting on the curved surface 'of said arm to tilt the furnace. I v

l1. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, a cam arm secured on said furnace enclosure, said cam arm extending downwardly and laterally from from axis and lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis, and a power member which moves" transversely to said cam arm and at a'distance from said axis, for acting upon said cam arm,

to tilt the, furnace. 12. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace turning about a transverse axis and having a pouring spout along said axis, the furnace having a chamber which, considering the furnace in the elevated pouring position, is formed with a, transverse gutter spaced from and generally parallel with the axis, and a channel sloping from one end of said gutter to the pouring spout. v

13. Metallurgical, apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace turning about a transverse axis and having a pouring spout along said axis, the chamber of said furnace having one lower side generally parallel with and directed approximately toward said axis in such relative position that said lower side is raised to the. height pf said spout when the .fumace is raised to its highest pouring position, whereby to discharge all of the metal in the furnace through said spout.

14.,Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace turning about a transverse axis and having a pouring spout along said axis. the chamber of said furnace having one lower side generally parallel with and directed approximately toward said axis in such relative position that said lower side is raised to the height of said spout when the furnace is raised to its hi hest pouring position, whereby to discharge all of the metal in the furnace through saidspout, and a skimmer disposed above and spaced from said side and open atthe bottom to permit metal to flow to said spout while retaining floating material until the furnace has been substantially emptied.

l5. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace turning about a transverse axis and having a. pouring spout along 8, Metallurgical apparatus comprising in com- I bination, a furnace chamber enclosure mounted to turn about a transverse axis, an enclosed furnace pouring spout on said axis,- and an, en- ,closed supply launder having its pouring lip disposed above the axis and above the metal level,

said launder enclosure being connected to the said axis, the chamber of said furnace having one side generally parallel with and directedapproximately toward ,said axis. and having surfaces on said side sloping toward a depressed line'spaced from and parallel with said axis. I

16, Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnace turning about a trans-v verse axis and having a pouring spout along said axis, the chamberof said furnace having one side generally parallel with and directed approximately toward said axis, said side having a dam at the upper end above the axis.

17. Metallurgical apparatus comprising in combination, a furnaceturning about a trans- ,verse axis and having a pouring spout along said axis, the chamber of said furnace having one side generally parallel with and directed 7 at the upper end but leaving it open at the lower end.

LUTHER W. BAENEY. ALFRED H. 'HORSWELL. 

